American Airlines plans grab-and-go lounge at JFK by year-end
The 3,700-square-foot Provisions space will give American another option for premium travelers at JFK’s Terminal 8, CNBC reported.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
American Airlines plans to open a grab-and-go lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport by the end of the year, CNBC reported. The move adds another premium airport space as airlines try to serve high-spending travelers without packing more people into their main lounges.
The planned lounge will be a 3,700-square-foot facility in JFK’s Terminal 8, according to CNBC. It will include a barista bar serving hot and iced coffee drinks, along with hot and cold food that travelers can take with them.
American calls the grab-and-go format Provisions, CNBC reported. The carrier opened its first Provisions location last year at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
The JFK location would be American’s first new lounge facility at the airport in more than four years, according to CNBC. The outlet reported that American is trying to close a profit gap with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines by competing harder for premium customers.
More space for premium travelers
Airlines and credit card companies have been adding smaller, short-visit airport spaces to give frequent flyers, cardholders and other high-value customers more options, CNBC reported. The approach can help reduce crowding in larger clubs while still giving travelers access to food, drinks and a place to stop before boarding.
United Airlines announced its first short-visit lounge in late 2022 for Denver International Airport, according to CNBC. At the same time, airlines and card issuers have tightened access rules or reduced perks such as free guest passes to address crowding, CNBC reported.
American already has a larger lounge presence at JFK. CNBC reported that the airline operates from Terminal 8, which it shares with Oneworld Alliance partners including Japan Airlines, Alaska Airlines and British Airways.
At Terminal 8, American has three higher-end lounges tied to long-haul travel and elite status, according to CNBC. Those spaces serve business-class travelers, first-class passengers and other frequent flyer elites, and opened in 2022.
American also runs an Admirals Club at JFK, which CNBC described as a space used more by lounge membership customers. CNBC reported that the airline has not refreshed its New York lounge space lately in the same way it has updated locations in other cities, including Chicago and Austin, Texas.
Premium push continues
The new JFK Provisions lounge fits into a broader race among U.S. carriers to attract travelers willing to pay for better seats, better service and airport perks, CNBC reported. Airlines have been expanding premium offerings as demand for higher-end travel becomes a bigger part of their business.
For American, the JFK addition gives the carrier another tool at one of the country’s busiest international gateways. CNBC reported that the lounge is planned for opening by the end of this year.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.